Gov. Tomblin declares emergency after chemical spill

CHARLESTON - Nine counties in the state of West Virginia are under an advisory not to drink their water after a chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has issued a state of emergency for those counties which include. Kanawha, Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Roane. West Virginia American Water expanded its advisory to nine counties Thursday night, up from an original five.

Officials are telling the company's customers in those areas not to drink, bathe, cook or wash clothes in the water and to only use it for flushing.

There have been no immediate reports of illnesses from the spill.State Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro says schools in at least five of the counties will be closed on Friday.